‘This is why we have VAR’ – Ex-refs fumes after re-analysing Man City-Salford controversy
Omar Marmoush was clearly onside before his first-half goal for Man City against Salford City in the FA Cup was disallowed.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and FIFA referee Keith Hackett, who has exclusively told Football Insider that decisions like the one to wrongly rule out Marmoush’s goal highlight the importance of VAR in the Premier League.
The Egyptian forward raced onto Abdukodir Khusanov’s long pass in the 23rd minute before composing himself to finish excellently past Matthew Young.
He was allowed lots of space to score past Young, however, as referee Matthew Donohue had already blown his whistle for an offside.
Replays then showed that Marmoush looked to have timed his run perfectly, with Salford‘s Luke Garbutt stepping behind his fellow defenders to play him onside, but the goal did not count.
Keith Hackett slams Omar Marmoush offside call as VAR’s positives highlighted
VAR is not introduced in FA Cup matches until the fifth round, with semi-automated offside technology also used from then onwards, but only at matches hosted in Premier League stadiums.
City progressed from the fourth round with a 2-0 win, but could have been further ahead in the first half, with Hackett highlighting why VAR is so important in the Premier League while speaking to Football Insider.
He said: “The assistant referee is well-positioned in line with the second rearmost defender.
“However, when you look at the screenshot, the defender close to the assistant appears to be playing the attacker onside, and I would not expect an offside flag to be raised.
“The goal should have been allowed. It highlights why we have VAR on offside calls in the Premier League.”
- Read more: Keith Hackett makes his feelings clear over John Stones penalty claim in Man City vs Salford City
Hackett insists that City did not deserve a penalty after John Stones challenge
City did make hard work of Salford on Saturday afternoon, but felt as if they should have been given more from the officials due to the Marmoush controversy and Stones‘ penalty shout.
The England international appeared to be hauled to the ground by Josh Austerfield in the Ammies’ penalty area in the 35th minute as he tried to reach Rayan Cherki’s deep corner.
Referee Donohue decided against pointing to the spot, with Hackett in agreement that it was not a penalty, saying: “John Stones is looking to gain the award of a penalty kick and goes to ground a little too easily.
“I support the match official in not awarding a penalty kick because of the element of doubt.”